“We need to continue to find bipartisan ways to create certainty in our economy for the American companies that are creating jobs in the U.S., jobs for middle class folks in Michigan,” he said.

The bill passed 274-131.

The other four Democrats in Michigan’s congressional delegation voted against the bill, which advisers to President Barack Obama have said they would recommend he veto if it reaches him.

The U.S. Senate still has to take up a package of tax credits that expired at the beginning of the year, including this one.

The Obama administration put out a statement this week expressing support for making the research tax credit permanent but said without increased revenue from some other source to cover the loss to government, it would add $156 billion to the deficit over the next decade.

Democrats complained that Republicans would use that loss in revenue as an excuse to cut other government programs. Legislation under consideration in the Senate, which has a Democratic majority, would extend the tax credit only through 2015.

House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp, R-Midland, led the effort to have the legislation passed. He said Democrats, including Obama, have supported temporary extensions of the credit many times in the past without insisting the loss in revenue be covered and that there is no question they would again this year.

He said the legislaton merely makes permanent a policy both parties agree is good for business.

“Let’s stop the charade,” Camp said.

All of Michigan’s nine Republican members of the House voted in favor of the bill. Among all the Democrats in Congress, 130 voted against the bill and 62 voted for it.